A Short Brim Feels Light in Summer: Choosing an Umpire Cap | WORDS
"When I wear a cap, my head somehow looks bigger." There may be more people than you would think who have stayed away from hats for that reason. A deep crown with a long, straight brim: for some people, the standard cap shape can make the area around the face look heavy.
That is when we would like you to try a short-brimmed umpire cap. It sits properly deep on your head, yet because the brim reaching forward is short, the eye moves freely and the look stays light. It is a signature summer shape for WORDS, which plans and designs hats in Kyoto. Today we talk about how to choose one and how it feels to wear, going a little deeper into the material and the pattern.
QUICK ANSWER
For people who find a cap's long brim makes their face look heavy, people looking for a hat that sits deep yet feels light, and people who want a hat that fits naturally with everyday clothes such as denim and T-shirts.
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WORDS / Fab RECOMMEND
The umpire caps in this article
Twill Jet Umpire B Cap
WS-50045
A fairly shallow silhouette taken from the jet cap, paired with a short brim. The brim has a wire inside, so you can change its angle to your liking.
- Denim
- T-shirt
¥4,950 (tax incl.)
*Please check the product page for price and stock.
B Umpire Cap
WS-50698
A model that catches the eye with its large B logo and two-tone colors. In blue tones, it comes together effortlessly with denim.
- Denim
- T-shirt
¥4,950 (tax incl.)
*Please check the product page for price and stock.
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3 POINTS
The umpire cap by material, pattern and feel
1. The "pattern": a short brim that lightens the look around the face
The name "umpire cap" comes from the caps worn by baseball umpires. Its defining feature is a brim that reaches forward less than on an ordinary cap, and this is what we most want to tell you about. A long brim casts a shadow in front of your face, which inevitably makes the look feel weighted down. With a short brim, that shadow gets smaller and the area around your face feels open. It sits deep and secure, while the eye moves easily upwards. This fine balance is why it looks light in summer.
Inside this short brim is a thin wire: a core that keeps its shape when you bend it with your fingers. Whether you keep it straight and flat or curve it slightly, it stays at the angle you like. "Curve it deeply to make your face look smaller" or "keep it flat for a clean look": you can change the look of the same hat, so start by finding an angle you feel comfortable with in front of the mirror.
2. The "material": durable twill you can wear all year
Many of the caps in this article are made of a fabric called twill. Twill is a weave in which the yarns run diagonally, giving the surface fine diagonal ribs. Because the weave is dense and durable, it does not lose its shape easily even with a lot of wear, making it a material you can keep using for a long time. It uses cotton, so it feels gentle against the skin, and it has its place in any season, from the city in midsummer to light outdoor outings.
Put simply
"Twill" is a durable fabric weave, the same kind used for chinos. Remember that it has body and keeps its shape well, and it will help you when choosing a hat.
3. The "feel": a deeper fit that settles naturally on your head
Our umpire caps are designed with a depth that is neither too shallow nor too deep, so they settle naturally on the shape of your head. If shallow hats tend to look as if they are just perched on top of your head, this depth should reassure you. The size can be adjusted with the back adjuster or the inner ribbon, so it fits a wide range of head sizes, approx. 57–60cm. If the metal buckle bothers you, choose the type without an adjuster strap that adjusts with an inner ribbon (WS-50628) for a cleaner look from behind.
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DESIGN STORY
Why WORDS is particular about this shape
WORDS is a small hat company that plans and designs hats in Kyoto. We use our own original patterns (the equivalent of a hat's blueprint). Rather than competing on flashiness, we aim for hats that blend naturally into everyday clothes, and that is how we decide our shapes.
This way of thinking is also why the umpire cap is one of our signature shapes. It keeps the rugged feel of workwear, while the trimmed short brim lets it fit naturally with today's everyday clothes. It sits right at the center of the world WORDS calls "vintage & clean modern work". For people who love vintage clothing, it adds nuance; for people who prefer simple clothes, it adds a touch of color. Seeing the same shape become part of different people's lives in their own way is the moment that makes us happiest as its designers.
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STYLING
What to wear it with?
Denim is, as you might expect, a natural match. Simply pair the jet type (WS-50045) or the blue B logo cap (WS-50698) with faded denim and a T-shirt for a relaxed, casual look. In summer, try loose wide pants, a white T-shirt and sandals. Add an umpire cap and it brings just the right amount of "ease" to a simple outfit.
For a neater look, choose beige or black in our signature twill model (WS-50035), which comes in many colors. Wear it on days when you throw on a coverall or a shirt, and you get just the right balance between a work feel and a neat look. There is no need to bind yourself with rules. Some days wear it deep, some days pull it up a little, some days keep the brim straight. Being able to change how you enjoy it with your mood is what is good about this hat. Take your time finding the way of wearing it that feels comfortable for you.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How is an umpire cap different from an ordinary cap?
The main difference is the length of the front brim. An umpire cap has a short brim, which tends to make the area around the face look lighter. You keep the secure feel of a deep fit, while the eye moves freely, so it also suits people who have felt that caps look heavy on them.
Can the size be adjusted?
Yes. With the back adjuster or the inner ribbon, it can be adjusted within approx. 57–60cm. If the metal buckle bothers you, there is also a type without an adjuster strap that adjusts with an inner ribbon (WS-50628).
Won't it look too warm in summer?
The short brim lifts the visual weight, so it is a shape that tends to look light even in summer. The fabric is cotton twill, durable yet easy for everyday wear. Choosing a light beige tone gives an even cooler impression.
Key points of this article
- An umpire cap has a short front brim: it sits deep, yet tends to make the area around the face look light.
- Most of the models introduced are cotton twill, durable and wearable all year, with a wire in the brim so you can change its angle.
- The size adjusts to approx. 57–60cm, and there is also a type without an adjuster strap for those who do not like metal fittings.
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ONLINE SHOP
If you are interested
You can see the product page for the featured Twill Jet Umpire B Cap (WS-50045) via the button below. Stock of colors and sizes changes, so even if the one you like is sold out, the ONLINE SHOP also has other umpire caps and other colors. Please take a look.
ONLINE SHOP
Find the featured umpire cap's product page and the WORDS ONLINE SHOP here. Even if it is sold out, you may find a similar shape or another color.
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TRY IT ON
You can try hats on in Kawaramachi, Kyoto
TRY IT ON
You can try hats on in Kawaramachi, Kyoto. The fit and silhouette, which are hard to judge from photos alone, can be checked by actually trying hats on in the store.
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